Year-End Reflections: What Motherhood Has Taught Me This Year
As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the beautiful chaos of parenting—a journey filled with moments that are both humbling and enlightening. I won’t sugarcoat it; this year was tough. It was a mix of joy, exhaustion, challenges I didn’t see coming, and growth—the kind of growth only motherhood can bring. But despite the hard days (and the many cups of cold coffee), I’m choosing to focus on the positive. With its fair share of cold coffee and mismatched socks, here are a few things that defined my year:
Milestone Moments
Watching my children, N and E, grow this year has been a privilege. N’s curiosity seems boundless—the way he asks questions about everything reminds me to find wonder in the world around me. From “Why is the sky blue?” to “Can fish dream?” His inquiries keep me on my toes and often leave me Googling late into the night.
E’s first steps were a moment of pure joy—a reminder of how incredible it is to witness those leaps in development. These milestones, both big and small, have been a source of pride and gratitude.
But milestones aren’t always about the kids. This year, I celebrated my own wins: surviving a cross-country flight with a toddler and a baby, mastering the art of the five-minute shower, and finally making a meal everyone ate without complaints. Small victories, big cheers.
Unexpected Challenges
Motherhood far from family has its hurdles —or maybe this is just what social media has made me believe with all that talk about how essential a village is to raise a child. This year, I navigated moments of homesickness and the struggle of managing it all without the immediate support of loved ones. There were days when I felt the weight of it (check out post When Mom and Little One Get Sick at the Same Time), but those moments taught me resilience and the importance of asking for help, even when it’s hard.
Being away from family has emphasized the importance of building a supportive village, even if it’s not the traditional one. Local parenting groups, online forums, and even casual playground chats have been lifelines.
I’m still finding my village, and that’s okay. Building connections takes time and effort. I’ve learned to value small gestures: a mom who shares her toddler’s snacks during a meltdown or an encouraging message from a friend who gets it. These moments remind me that support can come from unexpected places.
Each step forward is a step toward creating a network of support, even when it feels slow.
Embracing Flexibility
And the Chaos
If motherhood has taught me one thing, it’s this: the only constant is change. Bedtime routines, favorite foods, nap schedules—they’re all subject to sudden, inexplicable shifts.
Flexibility has become my superpower. From finding creative ways to keep traditions alive (video calls with grandparents while baking cookies!) to adjusting expectations when plans inevitably twist, this year reinforced the importance of going with the flow.
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Does it always work? No. Have I occasionally bribed my children with snacks to make it through? Absolutely. It, for me, is less about perfection and more about showing up, doing my best, and laughing at the inevitable chaos.
Flexibility has become my go-to tool, whether it’s adjusting bedtime routines or finding creative ways to celebrate family traditions from afar.
Heartwarming Discoveries
Motherhood is full of surprises, and not just the kind that involves finding crayons in the dryer. This year, I discovered the magic in creating our own traditions. Whether it was a messy kitchen adventure making holiday cookies (How We Baked Christmas Cookies and Spread Cheer to Our Neighbors) or impromptu dance parties in the living room, these moments reminded me to slow down and savor the joy in the ordinary.
There’s something special about seeing the world through your children’s eyes. For them, everything is new, exciting, and worth celebrating—even playing with bubbles. They’ve taught me to find beauty in the small things and to let go of my need for a perfectly curated life.
Personal Growth
Motherhood has stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. It’s taught me patience (or something like that), creativity, and the importance of letting go of perfection. There were moments this year when I doubted myself—days when I felt like I wasn’t doing enough or couldn’t keep up. I’ve learned to embrace the messiness and to be kinder to myself.
I’ve started celebrating the small wins—like making it through a tantrum without losing my cool or finally finishing a cup of coffee while it was still hot. These little victories add up and remind me that I’m doing okay.
Gratitude
More than anything, this year has filled me with gratitude. For my children, who teach me new things every day. For the laughter, the cuddles, and even the messes that remind me of the life we’re building together and for the memories we’ve created. And for my husband, whose support has been invaluable. Whether he’s stepping in for bedtime stories or making me laugh when I’m overwhelmed, he’s my partner in every sense of the word.
Gratitude has been my anchor this year. On the hardest days, I try to focus on the good—the giggles during bath time, the quiet moments after bedtime, and the love that makes it all worthwhile.
Looking Ahead
As I look forward to the coming year, I’m excited to see what’s next for our family. Motherhood is a journey of constant growth—for both me and my children, and I’m so grateful to share it with all of you.
What were your defining moments as a mom this year? I’d love to hear your reflections in the comments or on social media. Let’s continue to learn and grow together as a community.
Here’s to more milestones, more laughs, and maybe even a little more sleep in the year ahead.
Wishing you and your family a joyful year ahead!
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